Well Peter, it's the reality of the situation, which is not as political as you make it out to be.  And there is real recent medical controversy about the flu vaccine as of yet, particularly in younger individuals, but I'd agree with the urgency for your Dad, given his condition.   No, I'm not defeatist.  I'd be curious how John Kerry could make this situation any better.   His budget for healthcare will be huge (and I don't think realistic), but perhaps he'll get the ball moving on this one, but what if it still doesn't happen.  What would you say/advise then?  

As I have said, time and again, I really don't believe any administration will fix the health care problems in this country.   For reasons stated in too many posts ago for me to remember, there will ultimately be only one true "fix" for the situation, but it will be more costly than the present system, and deliver less; namely a National Healthcare Plan.  You can't have it both ways.  Care for everybody, meds, vaccines, serums, surgery, Xrays...how will we pay for it?   It's one area where I agree with many of the things Bush is saying about effective tort reform.  I hope John Kerry gets his budget for healthcare approved if elected, but he probably won't make it happen.  Check the figures.   And there is one certainty...the cost will continue to increase each year.  

Since your creative juices are apparently flowing, do you have any ideas about how things can be improved?   Maybe we can talk more about this one.